Police launch criminal investigation into Reform UK donations

The Metropolitan Police is carrying out a criminal investigation into allegations Reform UK broke the law in relation to foreign funding, following a broadcast by Channel 4 News last week.

An undercover reporter recorded two senior Reform aides apparently suggesting a way around electoral law to secure foreign party donations, one of which would have totalled £500,000.

The police investigation by the Met's Special Enquiry Team is being folded into an inquiry that has been under way into other donations to the party.

A Reform UK spokesman said the party "denies any wrongdoing and will fully cooperate with the investigation".

"We won't be commenting further while a live investigation is under way."

A Met spokesperson said it had received "a number of reports relating to donations and polling involving a political party", after the film by Channel 4 News and Verbatim Investigations was shown on Thursday evening.

In its statement, the Met Police said: "All allegations under investigation relate to potential offences under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000."

"Detectives continue to liaise closely with the Electoral Commission and Crown Prosecution Service as enquiries progress."

The police spokesperson said detectives were seeking to obtain footage relating to the broadcast.

The film overshadowed the party's conference in Birmingham and led to the party losing two key figures - Dan Jukes, chief of staff to the leader Nigel Farage, and James Orr, head of policy.